EUR Fellowship

Every year, Erasmus University Rotterdam offers extremely talented young researchers the opportunity to carry out research for a maximum of two years or four years with a EUR Fellowship. This way, Erasmus University hopes to encourage people to opt for a career in academic research and seeks to keep talented researchers in the university. The EUR Fellowship offers a funding scheme of €135,000 for a period of two years and €150,000 for a period of four years.

A network of specialised white blood cells, known as the microglia, exists in our brains. These cells are important for brain development and contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s. What they precisely do remains unclear, however. Dr Tjakko van Ham investigates the genes involved in microglia development and how they are switched on and off in a simpler organism, the zebra fish. He aims to learn what makes microglia special, how they contribute to disease and how to ultimately make new microglia. Foto: Tom de Vries Lentsch

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Dr R. (Renske) KeizerErasmus School of Social and Behavioural SciencesDads, dimes and quarters

There is a Dutch saying: if you are born for a dime, you will never be a quarter. In this project, Dr Renske Keizer investigates the extent to which this saying is true and, specifically, how fathers may influence the development of their children. Close attention is paid to fathers’ parenting practices across childhood and adolescence. And how do the extended family, peers and country characteristics shape the influence that a father has on his child’s development? Another question Dr Renske Keizer hopes to answer.

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Dr R. (Rianne) KokErasmus School of Social and Behavioural SciencesYou can’t do it alone

To grow up healthily and successfully, children must be able to control their behaviour and feelings and listen. This is referred to as self-regulation. It is often assumed that self-regulation is an individual skill. This assumption neglects the social side, however. Dr Rianne Kok observes children in interaction with parents, teachers and classmates. Her aim is to identify the ways in which young children regulate behaviour and feelings. This research provides points of reference to better support children in their development.

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Dr A. S. (Arjen) LeerkesErasmus School of Social and Behavioural SciencesFrom ‘hard’ to ‘soft’: deportation regimes in Europe

States are increasingly trying to remove migrants who do not have a right of residence from the territory over which they claim sovereignty. Sometimes the emphasis is on deportation and ‘hard power’ and sometimes it is more on the voluntary departure of migrants through ‘soft power’. There are also EU Member States in which general pardons have remained fairly common. Dr Arjen Leerkes is looking for an explanation for these European differences regarding deportation. He is also analysing the results of various deportation regimes in terms of departures achieved and human rights.

The structure of adult joints is especially determined by their growth and development during puberty. Nevertheless, very little is known about the ‘maturing joint’. Dr Marienke van Middelkoop aims to identify the association between lifestyle factors and the presence of structural and shape abnormalities in children’s backs. We will therefore have a better understanding of the development of joint diseases and abnormalities early in life.

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Dr J. C. (Chris) NierstraszErasmus School of History, Culture and CommunicationLuxuries for the people

Cappuccino, latte macchiato and espresso: the best way to start the day has an Italian name. Adolescents from all over the world wear t-shirts to be cool. The association between these products and a modern western life-style is so strong that most people no longer realise that these goods, despite what their names make us believe, originate outside of the western world. Dr Chris Nierstrasz applies a global history approach to examine the consumption of tea, coffee and Indian textiles within Europe in the eighteenth century (1650-1800). The research will transcend current scholarly paradigms by providing a transnational perspective on the consumption of these commodities.

Targeted radioactive treatment of neuroendocrine tumours is effective but is not yet curative for most of the patients with metastasized disease. In this preclinical study, Dr Julie Nonnekens aims to enhance the therapeutic effects by increasing and/or extending therapy-induced DNA damage specifically in the tumour cells, while sparing the healthy tissue. Using different cellular and animal models, she will test novel and powerful radioactive compounds and different drugs that block DNA repair. She hopes to find optimal conditions for better patient treatment.

We are amidst a paradigm shift from doctor-driven healthcare towards patient-centred out-of-hospital healthcare, in which doctors and patients increasingly have shared responsibilities. Hence, patients increasingly need to take up a significant role in self-managing healthcare. This also holds for patients with advanced cancer. Many patients and their caregivers are ill prepared for this complex task. Dr Judith Rietjens will examine which patients have more difficulties with self-management, why this is the case and how they can best be supported.

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Dr R. (Remy) Spliet Erasmus School of EconomicsSplitting the bill of timely transportation

When making multiple deliveries on a delivery route, it is not clear which delivery is responsible for what share of the costs. This hinders collaboration in transportation, as different parties are unable to share the costs and benefits. To overcome this problem, Dr Remy Spliet will develop mathematical methods to divide costs fairly.

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Dr W. (Wouter) VerheyenErasmus School of LawTowards a legal framework for long-lasting cooperation in logistics

While cooperation in logistics makes efficiency gains possible, it also gives rise to many legal issues. Such issues can hamper cooperation. Based on a study of the literature and empirical research, Dr Wouter Verheyen intends to develop a model contract that excludes legal problems and eases cooperation. The focus is on horizontal cooperation between shippers, between road carriers and between web shops.

Media: Audio

Dr W. (Wendun) WangErasmus School of EconomicsWho are the victims of the financial crisis?

Which countries are affected by the prevailing European debt crisis? What factors determine the default risk of each country? The answers to these questions are crucial for designing appropriate bailout policies. Dr Wendun Wang wishes to contribute to these policies. She will make a proposition for better tools in order to detect the country-specific impact of the financial crisis.